Jordanian and Israeli Forces Intercept Iranian Missiles Over Aqaba
Israeli and Jordanian forces intercepted Iranian missiles aimed at Aqaba on Sunday afternoon, the Jordanian military reporting three shot down and a fourth falling in a deserted area. The Israeli military had identified launches from Iran towards the port some forty minutes earlier and warned of possible spillover into Israeli territory. Aqaba lies immediately adjacent to Eilat, and no casualties were reported.
Jordan has now intercepted Iranian ordnance over its own territory repeatedly since the war began, a role that is militarily necessary and politically corrosive for a monarchy governing a population deeply hostile to the campaign. Firing at Aqaba also gives Iran a way to threaten Israel’s only Red Sea outlet without launching directly at Israeli cities. Iran’s military has framed such strikes as retaliation for the eighth consecutive night of American raids on its coastal and air-defence infrastructure. Watch whether Amman continues to publicise its interceptions, and whether Iranian fire towards Aqaba becomes a regular feature rather than an isolated salvo.